SecB protects proOmpF and proOmpC from degradation by Lon in vitro. A, urea-denatured proOmpF (0.3 μm) was incubated with or without SecB4 (1 μm) in the presence of Lon6 (0.16 μm) and ATP as described under “Experimental Procedures.” Lon degradation of proOmpF was monitored after 2, 4, and 10 min of incubation, and the percentage of remaining proOmpF was quantified using OptiQuant software. B, degradation of denatured proOmpF (0.3 μm) by Lon6 (0.16 μm) alone or in the presence of GrpE2 (2 μm) or SecB4 (1 μm) is shown. C, degradation of denatured proOmpC (0.3 μm) by Lon6 (0.16 μm) alone or in the presence of SecB4 (1 μm) is shown.